Free Internet and Laundry for DVC Renters?

[lacrosse_lady72]

I was just wondering if I will still be able to get free internet and laundry if I am renting DVC point and not actually a member.

TIA.

 

[disneynutz]

Yes you will.

 

[JJZMgailey]

I was wondering the very same thing! Yay!!

 

[Dean]

The free internet is supposed to be for members only but it depends on how they key in the stay. I'd assume you'll have to pay for the internet and be happy if you get it for free instead.

 

[Sandisw]

Laundry yes, internet, maybe. I have read posts from renters who were charged and others who were not.

So, as Dean said, it depends on what happens when you get there. Have a great trip!

 

[disneynutz]

I have never read a report where anyone staying on points have been billed for Internet access. I have also asked MS several times about the policy and they have repeatedly stated that anyone staying on points will not be charged. I suppose that things could change so renter beware.

 

[JimMIA]

The free internet is supposed to be for members only but it depends on how they key in the stay. I'd assume you'll have to pay for the internet and be happy if you get it for free instead.

Since the words "Disney" and "consistency" should never be used in the same sentence, I'd follow Dean's advice.

 

[Brian Noble]

I have never read a report where anyone staying on points have been billed for Internet access.

Officially, renters are not entitled to Member perks. However, enforcement of this policy requires that (a) the Member doing the renting identifies the occupants of the unit specifically as "renters" rather than "guests", and (b) Member Services codes the stay as a rental, not as a guest.

Most folks who rent realize very quickly that the value of the rental they are providing is higher if they conveniently "forget" to identify their renters as such, so it almost never happens. So, most renters end up getting internet service comped. But, if you don't for some reason, you probably won't be able to talk your way out of the bill.

Which brings us back to Dean's excellent advice: expect that you have to, but be prepared for a pleasant surprise. For example, inbound exchangers are also not entitled to it, but every once in a blue moon, an exchange stay will be coded as a guest stay instead.

 

[Deb & Bill]

When you log into the internet at a DVC resort, the screen says that the internet is free for DVC members. It doesn't say anything about renters. Even a member may get the internet fee show up on the bill when you check out. You just need to go to the front desk and show your member card. If you don't have a member card, you will wind up paying for the internet.

 

[mommyoftwo08]

When you log into the internet at a DVC resort, the screen says that the internet is free for DVC members. It doesn't say anything about renters. Even a member may get the internet fee show up on the bill when you check out. You just need to go to the front desk and show your member card. If you don't have a member card, you will wind up paying for the internet.

We rented points back in March prior to buying to make sure we liked it. Our key cards did say "DVC member" on them, but we didn't try to use their perks. We did however use the internet (expecting to pay for it since we used to at the Poly) on 2 seperate days. Even though we became a member on Wednesday of our week long trip - I was still charged for internet because I was not staying on "our points". This was at Animal Kingdom Villas. We didn't fight the facts. We just paid the bill.

 

[bribert]

Wait, members get to do laundry for free?!?! How's that work, are there secret member washers somewhere? This could seriously cut down on our packing!!!

 

[Simba's Mom]

Wait, members get to do laundry for free?!?! How's that work, are there secret member washers somewhere? This could seriously cut down on our packing!!!

DVC resorts have laundry rooms (I've only used the ones at BCV, but I know they're at every resort). I think some of them require a room key to get into, but not all. Last time I used the ones at BCV, the washers had coin slots, so they looked like they require money, but they don't. Just push the coin slot in as if you'd put money in, and voila, the machine starts. Like I said, every resort has a free laundry room for the use of DVC members in studios. And remember that 1 Bedroom villas and larger have the washer and dryer right in the villa.

 

[Chuck S]

Wait, members get to do laundry for free?!?! How's that work, are there secret member washers somewhere? This could seriously cut down on our packing!!!

All DVC Resorts have free laundry facilities for those in studios. At OKW, the laundry rooms are located by each pool.

The style of washer will vary, depending upon resort. Some resorts have the front-load HE washers. OKW has the standard coin-op style washers and dryers in the laundry room, just push in the coin slots without any coins. You'll need to supply your own detergent, etc.

 

[Brian Noble]

We rented points back in March prior to buying to make sure we liked it. Our key cards did say "DVC member" on them

It wasn't supposed to, but either (a) your landlord "forgot" to tell Member Services that you were renting (rather than a guest), or (b) someone mis-coded your reservation as a Member/Member's guest rather than renter/cash CRO/inbound exchanger.

Either can happen, but (a) is probably more likely.

 

[eyeheartgoofy]

It wasn't supposed to, but either (a) your landlord "forgot" to tell Member Services that you were renting (rather than a guest), or (b) someone mis-coded your reservation as a Member/Member's guest rather than renter/cash CRO/inbound exchanger.

Either can happen, but (a) is probably more likely.

Umm, every time I've stayed on somebody else's points (3 times, 3 different members), my room card has always said "DVC Member". Most recently, that was April 2009. No owner is going to tell MS that they are renting points when they make the reservation for the renter ... renting points is against the rules. No money is to ever exchange hands for DVC points. All renters are guests of the member.

 

[LIFERBABE]

Umm, every time I've stayed on somebody else's points (3 times, 3 different members), my room card has always said "DVC Member". Most recently, that was April 2009. No owner is going to tell MS that they are renting points when they make the reservation for the renter ... renting points is against the rules. No money is to ever exchange hands for DVC points. All renters are guests of the member.

Totally incorrect. Renting is not against the rules. It is clearly allowed in our docs. Commercial Renting is against the rules.
Yes your key will most likely say member, but your key is not a membership card. If you are asked for a member card and dont have one, you are not entitled to member only benefits like the AP Discount. Your key will get you far, but there is an off chance that the card will be requested for certain benefits.

 

[Chuck S]

Totally incorrect. Renting is not against the rules. It is clearly allowed in our docs.

Not only is rent specifically allowed in our document, they state that the member shall inform Member Services if a reservation is for a rental.

Commercial Renting is against the rules.

Yes your key will most likely say member, but your key is not a membership card. If you are asked for a member card and dont have one, you are not entitled to member only benefits like the AP Discount. Your key will get you far, but there is an off chance that the card will be requested for certain benefits.

Absolutely correct. And the documents definition of "Commercial renting" is extremely vague. No doubt so DVC can change the criteria of what constitutes Commercial Renting as necessary.

 

[Dean]

Umm, every time I've stayed on somebody else's points (3 times, 3 different members), my room card has always said "DVC Member". Most recently, that was April 2009. No owner is going to tell MS that they are renting points when they make the reservation for the renter ... renting points is against the rules. No money is to ever exchange hands for DVC points. All renters are guests of the member.

Not true, renting is expressly allowed in the POS. The restrictions are "commercial renting" and transfers for $$$.

 

[prov3v56]

I have a slightly different question about being charged for the internet. We are DVC members and on our upcoming trip we are staying part of the time on our DVC points and part of the time on an RCI trade. Does anyone know if we will have free internet during our entire stay or just during the period of time when we used our DVC points. Our RCI trade was made with a different time share we own.

Thank you for any input.

 

[disneynutz]

I have a slightly different question about being charged for the internet. We are DVC members and on our upcoming trip we are staying part of the time on our DVC points and part of the time on an RCI trade. Does anyone know if we will have free internet during our entire stay or just during the period of time when we used our DVC points. Our RCI trade was made with a different time share we own.

Thank you for any input.

Internet is free for anyone staying on points. Your RCI portion would not be included.